U.S. patent number 3,974,865 [Application Number 05/542,857] was granted by the patent office on 1976-08-17 for vapor collecting nozzle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Emco Wheaton Inc.. Invention is credited to Allen M. Bower, David T. Fenton.
United States Patent |
3,974,865 |
Fenton , et al. |
August 17, 1976 |
Vapor collecting nozzle
Abstract
An automatic shut-off nozzle incorporating a vapor recovery
system for recovering the displaced vapors from a gasoline storage
tank or the like as the tank is being filled by the nozzle wherein
the nozzle is automatically shut-off when the pressure within the
vapor recovery system increases above a predetermined minimum
pressure. The nozzle incorporates a latching mechanism which is
releasable in response to the increase in pressure in the vapor
recovery system and which is also responsive to a loss of vacuum
pressure resulting from the level of the liquid in the storage tank
rising above a predetermined level with respect to the nozzle. The
nozzle is constructed such that the ambient pressure in the main
diaphragm chamber corresponds to the pressure of the vapor recovery
line so that the release mechanism for the slide is not as
sensitive to the pressure in the gasoline storage tank. The nozzle
also includes an improved vapor recovery shroud which incorporates
a fulcrum support carried by the body of the nozzle which serves to
direct the end sealing ring of the shroud into engagement with the
end of the filling tube of a gasoline storage tank or the like.
Inventors: |
Fenton; David T. (Madison,
OH), Bower; Allen M. (Painesville, OH) |
Assignee: |
Emco Wheaton Inc. (Conneaut,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
24165574 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/542,857 |
Filed: |
January 21, 1975 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/311R;
141/226; 141/392 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
7/48 (20130101); B67D 7/54 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
5/373 (20060101); B67D 5/378 (20060101); B67D
5/37 (20060101); B65B 003/18 (); B67C 003/34 () |
Field of
Search: |
;141/52,59,93,128,198,206-229,290,392,311 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Aegerter; Richard E.
Assistant Examiner: Schmidt; Frederick R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fetherstonhaugh & Co.
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. In an automatic nozzle having, a main body, a liquid fill tube
projecting from the main body, a longitudinally collapsible vapour
recovery shroud extending from said main body about said filling
tube, said shroud having a sealing ring at the outer end thereof
for engaging the filling pipe of a fuel storage tank, the
improvement of,
a. a collar movably mounted on said liquid filling tube and
disposed between said main body and said sealing ring,
b. compression spring means mounted on said liquid filling tube
between said collar and said main body, said compression spring
means urging said collar in a direction away from said main
body,
c. a pair of arms mounted on said collar on diametrically opposite
sides of the collar, said arms being spaced laterally from opposite
sides of said liquid filling tube,
d. seat means in said sealing ring engaging the outer ends of said
arms to permit said sealing ring to pivot about a first axis
extending transversely between the outer ends of said arms under
the influence of said compression spring means to sealingly engage
the end of the filling pipe of a fuel storage tank.
2. An automatic nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing
ring comprises,
a resilient annular sealing disc having a second axis disposed
centrally of its external diameter located above and parallel to
said first axis, and a passage opening therethrough to receive the
filling tube, said passage having a third axis disposed parallel to
said first axis and located directly below said second axis,
a rigid annular insert carried by said resilient annular sealing
disc and exposed at an inner face of said resilient sealing disc,
said rigid annular insert having a passage opening therethrough
which is aligned with said passage of said resilient annular
sealing disc,
said seat means consisting of recess means formed in said exposed
rigid annular insert on opposite sides of said passage means.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to automatic nozzles. In particular, this
invention relates to automatic nozzles for use in filling
automobile gasoline tanks in which the vapour displaced during the
filling operation is to be recovered.
PRIOR ART
In order to reduce atmospheric pollution and to conserve energy, it
has been proposed that the vapour which is displaced from an
automobile gasoline tank during filling at a filling station should
be recovered. Previous proposals have indicated that the displaced
vapour may be recovered through passages formed in the body of the
nozzle. Difficulties have, however, been encountered as a result of
the pressure build-up in the vapour recovery system which may be
caused by an obstruction in the vapour recovery line or the like.
If there is obstruction in the vapour recovery line and the
operator continues to pump fuel into the automobile storage tank,
the pressure in the vapour recovery line will build up and may
climb to a dangerously high level. Most gasoline storage tanks of
automobiles are not designed to accommodate high pressures and may
rupture if subjected to high pressures.
In order to prevent pressure build-up in vapour recovery systems
which have previously been developed, it has been proposed to
incorporate the pressure relief valve in the vapour recovery line,
the valve being designed to vent to atmosphere in the event of a
pressure build-up in the vapour recovery line. It follows that in
this system if the pressure does become unduly high in the vapour
line, the pressure relief valve will blow and the vapour recovery
line will vent to atmosphere thereby causing atmospheric pollution
and fuel waste which the vapour recovery system is specifically
designed to prevent.
An automatic fuel dispenser nozzle which incorporates a mechanism
which is adapted to interrupt the flow of gasoline into a storage
tank when the pressure builds up in the storage tank is described
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,575 dated Nov. 13, 1973 issued to Texaco
Inc. In this device two diaphragm chambers are provided, one of
which is the conventional chamber which activates a latch mechanism
which releases the plunger on which the handle is pivotally mounted
when the level of liquid in the tank which is being filled rises
above a predetermined level and interrupts the venting of the
vacuum chamber. The other diaphragm chamber designed to operated
the same latching mechanism through the same latching pin in
response to a pressure increase in the storage tank. In this
construction both diaphragms must move in order to permit movement
of the latching mechanism. Furthermore, the operation of both
diaphragms requires the compression of a coil spring which is
required in order to seat the latching mechanism. As previously
indicated the positive pressure to which a gasoline tank of an
automobile may be submitted is very low, of the order to about one
P.S.I., so that the forces which are available to move the pressure
diaphragm are limited. For this reason the apparatus of the present
invention provides two separate latching mechanisms which are
operable independently of one another whereby the latching
mechanism, which is operative in response to the positive pressure,
may be sufficiently sensitive to operate at low pressures, while
the diaphragm, which is operative in response to variations in
pressure in the vacuum generated during the filling operation, may
be operated by the application of a pressure which is different to
that applied to operate the positive pressure diaphragm.
In the conventional automatic nozzle, the ambient pressure on the
side of the diaphragm opposite to the side to which the venturi
suction is applied is atmospheric pressure. The vacuum vent passage
is located within the open neck of the storage tank and during the
filling operation will also be operating at about atmospheric
pressure. If, however, the end of the neck of the storage tank is
closed, as in the case when a vapour recovery system is in use, the
pressure at the sensing device will be that of the pressure in the
vapour recovery line. This pressure may vary substantially from one
installation to another and difficulty may be experienced in
obtaining the required automatic cut-off as a result of the varying
pressure differential between opposite sides of the latch actuator
diaphragm. This difficulty is overcome in the present invention by
reason of the fact that the ambient pressure at the diaphragm is
that of the pressure in the vapour recovery line.
In the structure of nozzles previously designed for use in
association with the recovery of vapour difficulty has been
experienced in providing an effective structure for preventing the
escape of the vapour which is trapped in the line leading from the
nozzle to the vapour recovery storage tank after the nozzle is
removed from the automobile gas tank. As a result there is a
tendency for the recovered vapours to escape from the vapour
recovery line through the input passages at the nozzle end of the
line when the nozzle is not in use. Difficulty has also been
experienced in attempting to provide an effective seal between the
shroud and the end of the filling opening of the gasoline storage
tank.
SUMMARY
The present invention overcomes the difficulties of the prior art
described above and provides a simple and efficient vapour recovery
system and incorporates it into an automatic nozzle which serves to
prevent dangerous build-up of pressure in the vapour recovery line,
prevents escape of vapour from the vapour recovery line after the
nozzle is removed from the automobile gasoline tank and which
provides an effective shroud for guiding the displaced vapour from
the filling neck of the gasoline storage tank to the vapour
recovery input passages and the nozzle.
According to an embodiment of the present invention it is provided
in an automatic nozzle of the type having a body, a liquid flow
passage extending through the body, a main valve in the liquid flow
passage, valve actuator means movable between the closing of the
liquid flow passage and the position opening the liquid flow
passage, latch means moveable between a first position serving to
permit the main valve actuator means to move to said position
opening said valve and the second position in which the valve
actuator means is not capable of opening the valve, first latch
actuator means operable in response to the level of liquid in a
tank being filled rising above a predetermined level to move said
latch means to said second position, the improvement wherein said
latch means is movable to said first position to said second
position independently of said first latch actuator means, said
body being formed to provide a vapour recovery passage extending
therethrough to permit vapour within the tank which is to be filled
by the nozzle to escape from the tank through said vapour recovery
passage and including second latch actuator means mounted in said
body and adapted to engage said latch to move said latch means from
said first position to said second position independently of said
first latch actuator means, said second latch actuator means
communicating with said vapour recovery passage means and being
operative to effect movement of said latch means between said first
and second positions in response to an increase in pressure in said
vapour recovery passage means above a predetermined pressure.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is
provided an improvement in an automatic nozzle of the type
described which includes the provision of passage means
communicating between the vapour recovery passage means and the
main chamber in which the latching diaphragm is located such that
the ambient pressure in said chamber is equal to the pressure in
the vapour recovery passage means whereby releasing of the latch is
effected in response to a pressure differential between venturi
suction and vapour recovery line pressure.
According to a still further embodiment of the present invention
there is provided, in an automatic nozzle having a collapsible
vapour recovery shroud extending about its liquid fill tube, a
shroud having a sealing ring at the outer end thereof adapted to
engage a sealing shoulder projecting from said filling tube, the
improvement of; fulcrum support means located inwardly of said
shroud and disposed in a first transverse plane and arranged on
diametrically opposite sides of said filling tube, said fulcrum
support means supporting said sealing ring such that it is free to
pivot about said first transverse axis to be self aligning with
respect to said first transverse axis and means for resiliently
urging said fulcrum means toward said sealing ring.
It is an object of the present invention to provide in an automatic
nozzle of a type which incorporates a latch which may be triggered
to render the manually engageable opening lever inoperative the
improvement of a second latch actuator means for activating said
latch means in response to an increase in pressure in the vapour
recovery passage means in the nozzle above a predetermined
pressure, independently of the first latch actuator means.
it is a further object of the present invention to provide an
ambient pressure, in the main diaphragm chamber opposed to the
chamber in which suction is induced by the liquid flowing past the
venturi cut-off valve which is equal to the pressure in the vapour
recovery line.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a
shroud sealing structure for ensuring accurate sealing of the
shroud with respect to a sealing shoulder formed on the filling
tube and with respect to the end of the neck of a gasoline storage
tank.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention will be more clearly understood after reference to
the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of the body of the nozzle according
to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an end view in the direction of the arrows 2--2 of FIG.
1,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows 3--3 in
FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is an end view in the direction of the arrows 4--4 in FIG.
1,
FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned side view similar to FIG. 1
including the flow control mechanism omitted from FIG. 1 with the
shroud sealing mechanism removed for clarity of illustration of the
flow control mechanism,
FIG. 6 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows 6--6 of
FIG. 5,
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the slide and actuator mechanisms in
the section of FIG. 6 of the drawings,
FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view of an assembled actuator mechanism
in a first position,
FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the
actuator mechanism in the second position,
FIG. 10 is a sectional plan view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the
actuator mechanism in third position,
FIG. 11 is a partially sectioned side view illustrating the vapour
recovery shroud in a position sealed with respect to the filling
tube,
FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of the structure of FIG. 11,
FIG. 13 is a side view similar to FIG. 11 showing the filling tube
located in a tank which is to be filled, and
FIG. 14 is a view of the shroud sealing member taken along the line
A--A of FIG. 11.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of an alternative
construction.
The automatic nozzle illustrated in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention employs a structure similar to that described
above insofar as it relates to the control of the flow of liquid
and the mechanism for interrupting the flow of liquid when the
level of liquid in the tank which is being filled rises above a
predetermined level. The structure of the nozzle of the present
invention differs from that of U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,908 in that it
includes a structure which serves to automatically close the liquid
flow control valve in the event that the pressure in the vapour
recovery line which passes through the body of the nozzle rises
above a predetermined acceptable value. This value closing tripping
action functions independently of the valve closing tripping action
provided when the level of liquid in the tank which is being filled
rises above the end of the filling tube of the nozzle as described
in the aforesaid part of the U.S. patent. A further difference is
in that the ambient pressure against which the latching diaphragm
operates is equal to the pressure in the vapour recovery line. This
results from the fact that a passage is formed in the body of the
nozzle which commutes between the vapour recovery passage and the
main diaphragm chamber. The structure of the present invention also
differs from that of the aforesaid prior patent in that it provides
an ambient pressure in the main diaphragm chamber opposed to the
suction chamber which is equal to the pressure in the vapour
recovery line. In addition the present invention provides a shroud
sealing structure which provides accurate sealing of the shroud
with respect to the neck of a gasoline storage tank of an
automobile or the like.
With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings the reference numeral 10
refers generally to the body of an automatic nozzle according to
the embodiment of the present invention. The body 10 differs from
that according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,908 in that it includes both
a liquid filling passage 12 and a vapour recovery passage 14. in
the handle 16 of the body the passages 12 and 14 extend in a spaced
parallel relationship and in the head porition 18 of the body, the
passage 12 extends downwardly through a valve seat 20 formed in a
divider wall 22 and exits from the head into a fill tube 24. The
divider wall 22 serves to space the input of the liquid fill
passage 12 from the output thereof. The divider wall 22 serves to
space the liquid fill passage 12 from the vapour recovery passage
14 within the head portion. The vapour recovery passage 14 opens
outwardly from the body through an arcuate opening (FIG. 4) which
opens into an annular recess 26 which extends circumferentially
about the outward end of the flow passage 12. As shown in FIG. 3 of
the drawings an actuator chamber 30 opens inwardly from one side of
the head 18 and a slide passage 32 opens through the head at right
angles to the chamber 30. A recess 34 is formed at the inner end of
the chamber 30 and a passage 36 extends between the vapour recovery
passage 14 and a central portion of the chamber 30.
As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings a valve member 40 having a valve
stem 42 is slidably mounted in the head and serves to close the
passage 20 formed in the wall 22 so as to interrupt the flow of
liquid through the liquid fill passage 12. A coil spring 44 serves
to urge the valve stem 42 towards the closed position. The plunger
mechanism 46 consists of fixed body member 48 which is mounted in
the passage 32 and a slide member 50 which is slidably mounted with
respect to fixed body member 48. A coil spring 52 extends between
the underside of the head of the screw 54 which is mounted at the
upper end of the slide member 50 (FIG. 6) and the upper end of the
fixed body portion 48. The upper end of the passage 32 is closed by
a threaded plug 56. A manually engageable handle 60 is connected to
the lower end of the slide member 50 by means of the pivot pin
62.
When the slide member 50 is retained in the position shown in FIG.
5 the handle 60 is operable to move in the direction of the arrow A
to engage the valve stem 42 to move the valve head 40 to an open
position to permit the liquid to flow through the liquid flow
passage 12.
The slide member 50 is released from the position shown in FIG. 5
in response to the level of liquid in the tank rising above a
predetermined point at the lower end of the fill tube 24 by a
mechanism which is substantially the same as that previously
described with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,908. This mechanism
includes a vacuum vent passage 70 communicating with a vacuum
chamber 72 formed in the head 10 by way of vacuum tube 74.
The structure of the latching mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 6
and 7 of the drawings. This mechanism includes a fixed body portion
48 which previously described is located within the passage 32 and
which is formed with U-shaped slot 55 opening inwardly from one
face thereof. Also as previously described the slide member 50 has
a U-shaped slot 57 opening inwardly from one face thereof. A
tubular sleeve 80 is slidably mounted within the chamber 30 and has
U-shaped openings 82 opening inwardly from one thereof which permit
the sleeve 80 to extend beyond the fixed body portion 48. Short
elongated slots 86 are formed in the walls of the sleeve 80 to
receive the ends of latching rollers 88 to mount the latching
rollers 88 within the sleeve 80 for movement therewith into and out
of engagement with the U-shaped slots 55, 57. An annular shoulder
84 is formed at one end of the sleeve 80. A coil spring 90 has one
end which bears against the shoulder 84 and another end bearing
against a circular spring clip 92, which is located in the recess
94 formed in the head of the nozzle, so that the spring 90 urges
the sleeve 80 in a direction towards the slide 50 so that the
latching rollers 88 are urged inwardly of the slots 55 and 57.
The first actuator mechanism includes the diaphragm member 100
which supports a U-shaped bracket 102. The U-shaped bracket 102 has
elongated slots 104 in the oppositely disposed arms thereof. The
slots 104 are closed at their outer ends by a transversely
extending portion 106. The diaphragm 100 is mounted in the chamber
103 by means of a clamping ring 108 and a closure plug 110 so that
the vacuum chamber 72 is formed between the diaphragm 100 and the
wall of the closure plug 110. As previously described the diaphragm
chamber 72 communicates with the vacuum mechanism so that when the
level of liquid in the tank rises above a predetermined level, the
vacuum generating device draws a vacuum in the chamber 72 causing
the diaphragm 100 to move towards the wall of the closure plug 110,
thereby causing the U-shaped bracket 104 to move away from the
slide member 50 to move the latching rollers 88 out of engagement
with the U-shaped slot 57 in the slide member 50, so that the
handle 60 is deactivated thereby permitting the valve member 40 to
move to the closed position. This structure is substantially the
same as that previously described with respect to U.S. Pat. No.
3,196,908 with the exception that the bracket 102 is formed with
elongate passages 104 to permit relative movement between the
rollers 88 and the barcket 102 as will be described
hereinafter.
The second actuator mechanism is generally indentified by the
reference numeral 112 in FIG. 7 and consists of housing 114 which
is threadably mounted in the inner chamber 34. A U-shaped bracket
116 is mounted on the end of shaft 118 which is slidable with
respect to the housing 114. A U-shaped recess 120 is formed at the
outer end of each of the arms of the U-shaped bracket 116. Each of
the U-shaped recesses 120 has an inner edge 122 which is adapted to
engage the rollers 88 and used to push the rollers 88 out of the
slots 55 and 57. A rolling diaphragm 124 (FIG. 6) is mounted at the
inner end of the shaft 118 and has its outer peripheral edge
clamped between the body of the housing and the clamping washer
126. A spacer washer 128 is located between the clamping washer 126
and the end of the housing 114. The diaphragm 124 is clamped at its
inner edge between flat washer 130 and a washer 132 which has a
cylindrical extension projecting towards the transverse wall of the
housing 114. The inner edge of the washer 132 rests against the
wall of the housing 114 to limit the movement of the shaft 118 in a
direction towards the latching roller pins 88. The shaft 118 is
formed with a passage 134 opening therethrough.
The vapour in the vapour recovery line comunicates with the second
diaphragm chamber 136 by way of the passage 36 and the passage 134.
The chamber 140 (FIG. 8) which is formed within the second actuator
device opens to atmosphere through passage 142 formed in the body
114 and the passage 144 formed in the body of the nozzle.
When the nozzle is not operational the spring 52 draws the slide
member 50 upwardly into a position in which the slot 57 is aligned
with the slot 55 in the member 48 and the spring 90 forces the
latch rollers 88 into the slot 57 to retain the slide member 50 in
the position shown in FIG. 6 with the drawings.
The operation of the latching mechanism will be described with
reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 of the drawings. As indicated above,
when the nozzle is not in use the various springs will act to
locate the latching rollers 88 and the slot 57 so that the handle
60 may be manually engaged and moved in the direction of the arrow
A to open the valve 40 to permit liquid to flow through the liquid
fill line 12. The flow through the liquid fill line causes a
displacement of vapour in the tank which is being filled and the
vapour is discharged from the tank through the vapour recovery
passages 14. As long as the pressure of the vapour recovery passage
is below a predetermined minimum filling of the liquid continues.
If the pressure in the vapour recovery passage rises above a
predetermined minimum generally about 8 to 12 inches of water the
pressure increase is transmitted from the vapour recovery passage
14 by way of passages 36 (FIG. 6) and 134 to the chamber 136 and
the pressure increases in the chamber 136 and the diaphragm is
activated and causes the shaft 118 to move towards the slide member
50. The inner ends 122 of the U-shaped slots 120 in the arms 116
engage the rollers 88 and move them out of the slot 57 thereby
releasing the slide member 50. As previously indicated the rollers
88 are mounted in the sleeve member 80 so that the movement of the
rollers 88 out of the slot 57 causes compression of the spring 90.
It will be noted however, that the first diaphragm member 100 and
its associated U-shaped bracket 102 is not affected by the movement
of the rollers 88 by reason of the elongated passages 104 in the
bracket 102. FIG. 9 of the drawings serves to illustrate the
relative position of the various components when the second
actuator mechanism moves to a position in which the latching
rollers 88 release the slide member 50. When the slide member 50 is
released the manually operable handle 60 is rendered inoperative by
reason of the fact that the spring 44 over-powers the spring 52 and
causes the slide member 50 to move to a position which permits the
valve member 40 to be located in the closed position closing the
liquid fill line.
FIG. 10 of the drawings illustrates the manner in which the
latching rollers 88 are withdrawn from the slot 57 by means of the
oscillating diaphragm 100 which as previously described occurs when
the venting of the vacuum generating device by way of the vent line
74 is interrupted by the rising level of liquid in the storage
tank. Again it will be noted that when the first diaphragm 100 is
operational to release the slide member 50 the second actuator
mechanism is totally unaffected by the movement of the first
actuator mechanism.
It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the first and
second actuator means that while one may operate independently of
the other there are circumstances under which simultaneous
operation of both actuator mechanisms is desirable. In view of the
fact that one actuator mechanism operates entirely independently of
the other the present structure permits simultaneous operation
aboard the actuator mechanisms in the event of a simultaneous
interruption of the vacuum to the vacuum vent line and an increase
in pressure in the vapour recovery line above the predetermined
minimum pressure.
In order to direct the vapour which is to be recovered by way of
the vapour recovery passages 14 a shroud 150 (FIG. 11) is mounted
by means of retaining rings 152 at the end of the head from which
the filling tube 24 projects. The shroud is tubular in form and
extends in a spaced parallel relationship with respect to the
filling tube 24 to form a chamber 154 outwardly therefrom, the
inner end of the shroud 150 is formed with a series of pleats 158
which permit the shroud to extend and contract longitudinally as
required. A sealing ring 156 is secured to the outer end of the
shroud 150 and has a passage 160 opening therethrough through which
the filling tube 24 extends.
An annular ring 170 is mounted on the filling tube 24 and projects
radially therefrom. The annular ring 170 provides a sealing ring
shoulder 172 which seals against the sealing ring 156 when the
shroud 150 is extended. This condition exists when the nozzle is
not in use. The sealing ring 156 is maintained in the position
engaging the annular ring 170 by means of a spring-loaded fulcrum
mechanism generally identified by the reference numeral 174. This
mechanism includes a collar 176 which is adapted to extend in a
free fitting sliding relationship about the filling tube 24. The
collar 176 has a pair of fulcrum arms 178 projecting outwardly
therefrom on opposite sides of the filling tube. The fulcrum arms
178 project in a spaced parallel relationship with respect to one
another in a plane which extends transversely of the filling tube.
An annular convex seat member 180 extends about the tube 24 and
rests against the clamping nut 182 which serves to secure the
filling tube 24 to the head of the nozzle. The compression spring
184 extends between the seat 180 and the collar 176 and serves to
urge the collar 176 in a direction away from the seat 180. The
sealing ring 156 is preferably made from a resilient material which
is rigidified by a rigid annular metal insert 186 which has a
passage opening therethrough aligned with the passage 160 of the
sealing ring 156. The rigid annular insert 186 has a pair of
circular recesses 188 formed therein to receive the rounded ends of
the fulcrum arms 178. As shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings, the
recesses 188 are located on a centre line 190, one on either side
of the centre line 192. The centre line 194 is the centre line of
the external diameter of the resilient sealing ring 156 and the
rigidifying plate 186. The centre line 196 is the centre line of
the passage 160 and the passage in the rigidifying metal plate 186.
The location of the centre line 190 of the recesses or sockets 188
above the centre line 196 of the opening 160 serves to cause the
assembly to tilt forwardly to the position shown in FIG. 13 when in
use to obtain an effective seal between the sealing ring and the
end of the filling tube 162 of the gas tank. When in the position
illustrated in FIG. 13 of the drawings, the recovered vapour enters
the chamber 154 by way of the gap formed between the annular
shoulder 170 and the sealing ring 156 as shown by the arrow B. When
the filling tube is removed from the gas tank, the spring 184
serves to cause the sealing ring 156 to return to the position
illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings wherein the sealing ring 156
engages the sealing surface 172 of the shoulder 170.
An important feature of the present invention is the provision of
an ambient pressure, in the main diaphragm chamber which is opposed
to the chamber in which suction is induced by the liquid flowing
past the venturi cut-off valve, which is equal to the pressure in
the vapour recovery line. As previously indicated, the vapour
recovery passage 14 communicates with the main diaphragm chamber
which is opposed to the suction chamber by means of passage 36, so
that the ambient pressure in the main diaphragm chamber is the
pressure in the vapour recovery passage 14. It has been found that
with the ambient pressure in the main diaphragm chamber
corresponding to the pressure of the vapour recovery line the
release mechanism for the slide is not as sensitive to the pressure
in the gasoline storage tank and, consequently, the mechanism is
only released when the flow passage 70 is truly blocked or when
there is an increase in pressure in the vapour recovery line above
the predetermined limit.
From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention
provides a simple and effective mechanism whereby the flow of
liquid into a liquid storage tank may be interrupted when the
pressure in the vapour recovery line increases above a
predetermined minimum level. In addition the present invention
provides a simple and efficient shroud mechanism which effectively
seals the communication between the storage tank which is being
filled and the vapour recovery passages formed in the head of a
filling nozzle. Furthermore, the nozzle of the present invention
provides a means whereby vapour which is transferred to the vapour
recovery line of the nozzle does not escape when the pressure in
the vapour recovery system exceeds the pressure outwardly of the
nozzle as in the case when the nozzle and its associated shroud is
disconnected from the tank which has previously been filled.
Various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, FIG. 15 of the drawings illustrates a
modification wherein a second actuator mechanism is modified to
employ a flat diaphragm in place of the rolling diaphragm 124. In
this embodiment, a passage 202 opens outwardly from the chamber
through the wall of the housing. A plug member 204 is sealed within
the passage 202 by means of an O-ring 206. The plug 204 has a
passage 208 extending therethrough. A pin 210 is mounted to
reciprocate within the passage 208 and an O-ring 212 seals the pin
210 with respect to the passage 208. A passage 214 opens
longitudinally through the pin 210 to communicate between the
chamber 30 and the chamber 216. The inner end of the pin 210 is
secured to the U-shaped bracket 116 and the outer end of the pin
210 is secured to a flat flexible diaphragm 218. An end cap 220
extends over the end of the plug 204 and secures the diaphragm 218
in a position dividing the chamber 216 into an outer chamber 224
and an inner chamber 226. The inner chamber 226 has a vent passage
228 opening outwardly therefrom. Again, the second actuator
mechanism serves to activate the latching mechanism in response to
a pressure variation in the vapour recovery line above a
predetermined maximum pressure. The vapour in the vapour recovery
line passes to the chamber 30 as previously described by way of the
vent passage 36 and thereafter it passes through the passage 214 to
the outer chamber 224. An increase in pressure in the outer chamber
224 resulting from an increase of pressure in the vapour recovery
line will cause the diaphragm 218 to move inwardly, thereby causing
the rod 210 to move inwardly to move the U-shaped bracket 116 which
in turn moves the latching pins 88 out of the slot 56 in a manner
similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The slide 50
is thereby released to deactivate the flow control valve, thereby
interrupting the flow of liquid through the nozzle. It has been
found that by locating the diaphragm 218 outwardly of a standard
nozzle head, it is possible to obtain the required diaphragm area
in order to provide the required degree of sensitivity without
requiring the use of a rolling diaphragm of the type described in
the earlier embodiments.
These and other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
* * * * *